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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

USS McConnell (DE-163)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - X - T - A
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 3 stars - World War II Victory Medal
Class: Cannon      Type: DET (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, long hull, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1,240 tons (std) 1,620 tons (full)   Dimensions: 306' (oa), 300' (wl) x 36' 10" x 11' 8" (max)
Armament: 3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 twin 40mm Mk1 AA, 8 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 3 x 21" Mk15 TT (3x1),
1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Machinery: 4 GM Mod. 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 21 knots   Range: 10,800 nm @ 12 knots   Crew: 15 / 201
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding, Port Newark NJ on 19 October 1942
Launched 28 March 1943, Commissioned 28 May 1943
Decommissioned 29 June 1946, Stricken 1 October 1972
Fate: Sold for scrapping 21 March 1974
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For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
McConnell 36k Riley Franklin McConnell was born 22 July 1884 at Gate City, Va., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy 7 June 1909. For over three decades he carried out a wide variety of assignments. During World War I he served as navigator in Arkansas; later, he had duty as executive officer inOhio, Relief, and Chicago; and in 1935 and 1936 he commanded Milwaukee. Following instruction at the Naval War College, he served on the staff of Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, between 1925 and 1927. Commissioned captain 1 September 1934, he returned to the Asiatic Fleet and served as Chief of Staff from 30 October 1936 to 25 July 1939. For distinguished service during this period, he received the Navy Cross. He assumed command of the Naval Training Station at San Diego 22 August 1939 and died while on active duty there 12 July 1940.

USS McConnell (DE-163) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

(Photo Courtesy of the San Diego Navy Historical Association)		 Bill Gonyo
McConnell 68k 16 June 1943 (i>National Archives Photo) Frank Harmon
McConnell 54k 27 July 1944 (i>National Archives Photo) Ens. E.J. McCoy
McConnell 65k 6 January 1945: Bow on view of USS McConnell (DE-163) off Mare Island. (US Navy Photo #DE-163-227-45) Darryl Baker
McConnell 86k 6 January 1945: Broadside view of McConnell. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 22 November 1944 until 10 January 1945. (US Navy Photo #DE-163-224-45)
McConnell 77k 6 January 1945: Stern view of McConnell. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 22 November 1944 until 10 January 1945. (US Navy Photo #DE-163-222-45)
McConnell 119k 9 January 1945: Aft plan view of McConnell at Mare Island. Areas modified by the shipyard are shown in the circled areas. (US Navy Photo #DE-163-281-45)
McConnell 162k 9 January 1945: Forward plan view. Areas modified by the shipyard are shown in the circled areas. (US Navy Photo #DE-163-282-45)
View the USS McConnell (DE-163), DANFS history entry
located on the US Naval Historical Center web site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: George E. Boddy (EM3)
Address: 390 Ward Road / North Tonawanda NY 14120
Phone: (716) 692-6281
E-mail: George Boddy
Note About Contacts

Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.

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